Somalia on Tuesday recalled her ambassador to Ethiopia for "consultations,” even as it maintained that the deal signed in Addis Ababa between Ethiopia and Somaliland state is null and void.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed Monday between the Republic of Somaliland and the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
In the MoU, Ethiopia officially recognises Somaliland, while Somaliland grants naval and commercial sea access on lease to Ethiopia for 50 years.
President Muse Bihi Abdi and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali signed the deal.
This historic agreement ensures Ethiopia's access to the sea for their naval forces, reciprocated by formal recognition of Somaliland, marking it a significant diplomatic milestone for the country.
"Today, it is with immense pride that I announce the mutually beneficial agreement between Somaliland and Ethiopia. In exchange for 20km sea access for the Ethiopian Naval forces, leased for a period of 50 years,” Abdi said.
Somalia Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has already said they would defend their territory by “all legal means possible” following Monday's agreement that gives landlocked Ethiopia long-sought-after access to the Red Sea.
Ethiopia currently relies on its neighbouring Djibouti for most of its maritime trade.
Barre, who presided over an extraordinary meeting of the Cabinet Monday, assured the people of Somalia that the government of Somalia is committed to the defense of the country as well as support of “our land, sea, and our inviolable skies.”.
Somaliland, the cabinet said, is part of Somalia under the Somali constitution, and so it finds the step taken by Somaliland as a clear violation against its sovereignty and unity.
